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“Never have I ever earned a doctorate.”
Clara folded down a finger. “A lot of good it’s done me.”
“Never have I ever made brussels sprouts taste good.”
“Anything tastes good if you fry it in bacon fat,” Clara said, but she smiled a little despite herself. She’d vowed to get Josh to eat vegetables by any means necessary.
“Never have I ever come up with an idea for my own business.”
He had her there. Shameless made her proud.
“Never have I ever been generous enough to fund a ragtag band of sex workers that no bank would ever give the time of day.” Josh’s voice conveyed his respect and she found herself blushing.
Clara lowered her ring finger and shrugged. “I believe in you guys.”
Josh touched the Band-Aid on his forehead. “Never have I ever ma
de someone walk into a door frame because I exited the bathroom in a very tiny towel.”
Clara tilted her head. He’d lost her with that one.
Josh reached over and lowered her last finger.
Comprehension dawned. “What? This morning?”
Josh gave her a self-deprecating smile. “You might think you don’t fit in, but those people out there are as intimidated by you as you are by them. If you relax, they will too. I promise.” He punched her lightly on the arm. “Now let’s go back out there before Felix finishes all the crab dip.”
She’d entered this business endeavor with one foot out the door, but with Josh by her side, maybe she should stop telling herself that the “cool kids” would never accept her. “Thanks.”
The noise of the party barreled on outside. “Anytime, Wheaton.”
* * *
• • •
JOSH NEEDED TO get his feelings for his roommate under control. His physical symptoms had started to cause him bodily harm. And his mental ones? Well, those had gotten so powerful, he could hardly go ten minutes without thinking of Clara.
All he knew was that he always wanted her to be happy. When she smiled or laughed, he felt powerful and good. If something hurt her, he wanted to Hulk smash.
He’d been grateful when she suggested the party, a chance to blow off steam that didn’t involve blowing his load. His dick was officially on lockdown after he’d almost blurted out, “I think you’re the girl of my dreams,” while whipped into a sexual frenzy by the sight of Clara’s naked body. His capacity for longing terrified him.
“Come on, Darling. We’re picking teams for flip cup. You and Naomi are captains. Battle of the Exes.”
Naomi caught his eye. He knew she’d seen him follow Clara inside after the earlier debacle.
Josh gave her a subtle nod and watched as her shoulders relaxed. Her cool demeanor didn’t fool him. Naomi was starting to like Clara, whether she wanted to or not.
“You pick first,” she told him, gesturing to the gathered guests who wanted to play.
Josh found Clara where she stood rearranging the plastic cups near the keg. Despite the talk they’d had in the kitchen, he knew she would love to spend the rest of the party doing hostess chores instead of interacting with other people.
“Wheaton,” he called across the yard. “You’re with me.”
She turned toward him with wide eyes. “Me?” She looked around at all the guests. “No. That’s okay. I’ll sit this next one out. You all go ahead.”
Josh shook his head and curled his finger. “Get over here.” He’d made it his personal mission to ensure that she spent the remainder of the barbecue having fun.
Clara obeyed with visible reluctance as Felix and Max lined up the long rows of cups on either side of the table, pouring light beer across them.
